Axolotls, like any other living being, can fall ill from time to time, and thankfully most are easily treatable from your own home with a few supplies. If you notice something wrong with your 'lotl, remove them from their tank and place into a tub until treated, changing 100% of the water daily.
Fungal Infection
Fungal infections in Axolotls are one of the easiest to spot, and easiest to treat illnesses. Fungal infections present themselves as fuzzy white, cotton like particles on the body, most commonly on the gills. Warm water allows fungal infections, so make sure you are keeping your tank water below 72 degrees fahrenheit, and maintaining your tank parameters as nitrites tend to cause this. For minor fungus, add an Indian Almond Leaf into the tub with your axolotl and allow it to remain in the tub with your axolotl until all signs of the fungus are gone - remember to keep up your water changes every day, just take the leaf out before and put it back in after. IAL's are affective in treating mild fungal cases due to their tannin content, which acts as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent.
For more severe cases, usually the fuzzy white specks will be present all over the body of the axolotl. In this case, a tea bath can be given. Using organic black tea with zero additives, boil one bag, and chill to around 65 degrees fahrenheit. After chilled, add in a water conditioner, and pop your axolotl in for 15 minutes. After your 15 minutes is up, add your axolotl back into a fresh tub of dechlorinated water. Perform once per day until treated. Black tea contains tannins as well, and additionally contain caffeine which tightens and closes the pores, preventing the fungus from keeping root.
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infections are characterized by red or white dots along the body of an axolotl. For mild cases use the tea bath method, as the caffeine prevents the bacteria from staying in the pores as well as acts as an anti-bacterial. However, bacterial infections can become much more life threatening. If your axolotl is heavily infected, or you cannot seem to treat the infection, Furan 2 is recommended. This is a fish drug that can be found at your local pet store, HOWEVER axolotls are much more sensitive than fish and require only half of the recommended dose.
Ammonia Burn
Ammonia burn looks like either red patches, or an overall red tinted body of your axolotl. This is a tell-tale sign your tank parameters are off, and your ammonia is high. Most cases can be treated by being tubbed in clean water until your tank is back on track, and an Indian Almond Leaf can be added in for extra help. In extreme burn cases, Methylene Blue is recommended. Add a few drops until the tub water is a light blue, and allow the axolotl to sit in the Methylene for 15 minutes, removing the axolotl and placing into a clean, fresh tub of water afterwards.
Twitching/Spastic/Gill Clawing
These are signs of chlorine irritation, immediately remove your axolotl and place into a tub of water treated with a water conditioner, such as Seachem Prime.
Shedding Skin
Axolotls have a protective layer of mucus around their bodies referred to as a Slime Coat. They should never shed this, or lose it, so if your axolotl is presenting shedding skin you are seeing his slime coat damaged. Simply treat with clean water in a tub, and check your tank parameters.
IN SEVERE CASES ONLY, YOU MAY REFRIGERATE YOUR AXOLOTL UNTIL FURTHER PROFESSIONAL CARE CAN BE ATTAINED
ONYX EXOTICS DOES NOT RECOMMEND OR PRACTICE SALT BATHS
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